James Liotta was born in Melbourne Australia and is an Australian-Italian award winning Actor as well as: Performer, Comedian, TV-Radio Presenter and Producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment business working constantly in all facets of the industry.
James began entertaining audiences at the age of 8 years old securing the lead roles in school theatrical productions and quickly moving into semi-professional shows outside of school. (One of his earliest roles had him playing ‘Prince Charming’ in a version of Cinderella in Primary School.)
This also led him to gaining his first TV agent at the age of 8 and thus allowing him to participate sporadically in various TV series and Commercials. It was common for James to take time off school to work professionally in the TV business.
His passion for performance was evident through his teenage hood as he continued to study Drama and Theatre through High School at Northcote High School (Melbourne Australia) as well as taking weekend courses in ‘Acting’ and ‘Film-Making’.
This enthusiasm for acting was instilled by his Father ‘Sebastiano’ who worked within the Italian Community as an Actor/Playwright having produced a multitude of fluent Italian spoken stage shows in Melbourne. James took part in every single one as an actor (in fluent Italian) and later went on to direct a number of his Father’s stage shows.
(James’ Father has also appeared in roles on TV and had much exposure playing ‘Eric Bana’s’ Father in THE CASTLE.)
The entertainment business became James’ lifestyle very fast straight out of Secondary School with it (entertainment) being the only major job James has undertaken and made a solid (and thankful) living out of.
In 2004 James graduated with a Diploma in Drama and Theatre from NMIT which also gave James’ stage comedy script “Wog FM” the chance to be produced by the class as their end of year graduating showcase. A huge achievement to have been selected and an asset to his C.V.
Over the years James has appeared on various TV shows such as: Underbelly Squizzy, Thank God You’re Here, Neighbours, Utopia, Prank Patrol, Upper Middle Bogan, Paper Giants, Quizmania, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Satisfaction, Ground Zero, Video Hitz, The Project, Today Tonight, My Community and Under The Hammer just to name a few.
James has also performed roles on a number of independent feature films including the award winning MONSTER PIES and highly acclaimed TAJ.
Short film work has also accumulated fast for James as he now holds a vast number of roles under his belt. Many films have gone on to do well in the festival circuits gaining recognition and awards including: Tiramisu’, A Fairy Tale and the 2010 Tropfest finalist Falling Backwards.
He has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest household names in entertainment on stage and TV.
James has been seen on a wide range of commercials for a long list of brands, some include: Swisse, Dolmio, Zaffarelli Pasta, Vic Raods – Euro Plates,
MediBank, McCains, Fox Footy, La Porchetta, Fresha Juice, Vic Tourism, Worksafe, Dickson Real Estate, Coles, Honda, Tobin Brothers, Fox Footy, Seek.com, Bully Zero Foundation and a National Promo for The Real Housewives of Melbourne season two..
James has also completed a number of online commercials for use on Websites, You Tube, Smart Phone Apps and general social media.
The summer of 2014 gave James a grand opportunity to co-host and co-produce the national late night comedy talk show PLANET UNEARTH which aired a small season on CHANNEL 9 GO!
This massive jump into regular mainstream TV came with a significant amount of commercial exposure including: The Herald Sun, The Age Green Guide, TV Soap Magazine and many radio interviews!
Planet Unearth had previously aired over 30 episodes on FOXTEL-AURORA in which James was also part of as co-host. The show was produced by Sean Pary and Stylework Productions.
These days, as well as appearing intermittently on commercial TV he is also seen on community TV. Namely through the show ‘Media Strikes Back’ which began airing on Melbourne’s Channel 31 and recently moved to Foxtel-Aurora.
James Liotta is constantly in demand as an M.C for a wide range of community, multi-cultural festivals and corporate events around Australia. He has had the opportunity to be booked as M.C for several prestigious events including the Viva Victoria Festival at Federation Square and for Australia Day celebrations in the City of Whittlesea. A highlight also includes working as an M.C at the Sydney Entertainment Centre for World Youth Day to a live audience of 10,000 people with a live to air tele-cast over European stations
In 2015 his M.C duties were also seen at the SOFIA LOREN – LA DOLCE ITALIA charity gala night at Crown Casino Melbourne. James teamed up as CO-MC along with TV legend John Deeks and Italian actress Lydia Vitale.
(SOFIA LOREN was also in the room for this spectacular night produced by Eventcepts!)
*In 2016 James has been booked as comic support act to one of Italy’s most loved and iconic pop singers – PUPO! James will support act for this legendary Italian star in Melbourne and Sydney.
James also had the opportunity to MC formalities for National Italian Day in Sydney at the Marconi Club where he was asked to introduce to the stage, The Hon Tony Abbott – Prime Minister Of Australia.
While James’ MC services are in demand for major functions he is also available to take on smaller private events such as weddings and corporate launches which he does often.
James has worked both on air and in production for radio stations across Melbourne including: Fox FM, Mix FM, Gold FM, SEN, 3AK, 3MP, SBS, SYN FM, HITZ FM, PULSE FM. Today he hosts his own show THE BASH RADIO SHOW on 98.9 North West FM in Melbourne.
James holds a strong bond with his Italian cultural background and is well known in the Italian Australian community for his stand up comedy performances and shows which have seen him ‘support act’ for some of the biggest names in the ethnic comedy circles such as the great Joe Avati. James has also appeared on stage and in the same line up as George Kapiniaris, Gabriel Rossi, John Baressi, Frank Lotito, Vince Sorenti, Bruno Lucia, Maria Venuti, John St Peeters and many more. His reputation continuous to grow in this field of entertainment each year.
James was also part of the lead cast and resident MC of Melbourne’s iconic comedy establishment ‘Witches in Britches Theatre Restaurant’ where he performed on stage for 7 years. (Approx 200,000 + audience members over that period).
Aside from the above James is also busy co-running his own children’s show company with Mario Cicitta. (Now in its 10th year) The company produce and perform Italian comedy shows for students in Primary and Secondary schools around Victoria and South Australia. His company, ‘La Comica Variety Productions’ have become one of the most loved and most popular companies for this niche market.
James has also written and produced short films with his latest due for release later in 2016. A comedy titled ‘Without A Shirt’. Co-produced by ARR Productions.
FUN FACT:
James played an instrumental part within the Performing Arts department at Northcote High School (Melbourne Australia) where he studied year 7 to 12. Over those 6 years James secured lead roles in all the musical productions as well as participating as a dancer in the yearly Rock Eisteddfod Challenge which took place at Rod Laver Arena.
During year 11, the Drama coordinator and director of school musical productions retired and thus left a hole in the school production calendar. After a discussion with the principal and an appointed teacher assistant, James took it upon himself to produce and direct the annual school production with huge success. He again took this role in year 12 while undertaking his VCE exams. Upon finishing year 12 he returned back to Northcote High School the following year having been offered a paid position as the school musical director/producer. James essentially went from student to staff member with his own little office in the space of 3 months!
Winner of Best Actor of the Year with Star Central Magazine Sydney
Winner of Multi-cultural Arts Award by the State Government of Victoria.
Winner of Best Actor at Comfy Shorts for his lead role in the dramatic film Tiramisu. Written and Directed by Carl Stella
James Liotta is an official proud ambassador for the BULLY ZERO AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION along with a variety of high profile TV personalities and sportspeople.
